An outdoor enthusiast's travel guide to Rovaniemi, Finland
In recent years, we have become real winter sports enthusiasts, but not exactly the traditional winter sports as everyone knows them. We have made a yearly winter trip to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland for the last three years. We fell in love with the outdoor possibilities and opportunities Finland and Lapland have to offer. Lapland is the ultimate outdoor destination year-round, but winter is extra special and magical with the snow. Of course, there are also places in Finnish Lapland where you can snowboard and ski, but for this blog, we will focus on all the other cool activities you can experience here.
Things to do in Rovaniemi
Husky sleigh rides
If you don't know the city of Rovaniemi, it's important to know that it is the official hometown of Santa Claus. So it goes without saying that visiting Santa Claus is one of our favorite activities in Rovaniemi. But of course, Rovaniemi is an ultimate outdoor destination, so after visiting Santa, we go outside and enjoy nature.
One of the most popular activities in Lapland is a sleigh ride with huskies. It’s also our favorite thing to do! The power with which these dogs pull you through the Finnish nature is unparalleled. For example, working with the dogs in your sled to get uphill together is special. You forget everything and everyone around you, and it's all about the dogs and nature. It’s beautiful. Our number one recommendation for a husky tour in Rovaniemi would be with Bearhill Husky.
Reindeer sleigh rides
When you think about Santa Claus, you also think about his reindeer! There are roughly 200,000 reindeer and 185,000 people living in Lapland. The chance of encountering a reindeer during your trip to Lapland is high, and they are truly incredible animals. To get a special experience, you can visit various reindeer farms where you can often book a reindeer sleigh ride.
The husky sleigh ride is all about adrenaline and speed, but the experience is different with the reindeer. The sleigh ride is quiet and slower, often through the beautiful forests of Lapland, with enough time to look around you and enjoy yourself.
And don't forget to look out for the world's most famous reindeer. Who knows, you might encounter Rudolph. Our recommendation for a unique reindeer experience in Rovaniemi is Santa Claus Reindeer in Santa Claus Village.
Snowmobiles
In winter, the snowmobile is the number one means of transport for many Finns. In fact, if you live in Lapland, you need a snowmobile in the winter to get around and have a good time. It is not surprising that snowmobile activities are extremely popular. Snowmobile tours are super fun.
After a short explanation, you will be ready to go. Your guide leads you through the most beautiful vistas, and the speed you race through nature quickly increases. For us, the snowmobile tours are our second favorite thing to do after the husky sleigh rides. It is the speed and the adrenaline with which you travel through the often untouched nature that makes these activities so special. We recommend Safartica with the large number of snowmobile safaris they offer.
Ice fishing
On our latest trip to Lapland, we tried ice fishing for the first time. We had never done it before, and I must admit I was doubtful. You drill a hole in the ice, bait your rod, and then wait until you hopefully catch something. I thought this would be a boring activity, but nothing could be further from the truth! It is a great activity!
Drilling the hole and getting everything ready to go ice fishing is fantastic. And, of course, all of that in the middle of a large frozen lake or a frozen river. If the sun is shining, the day can't get any better. The best part is, of course, if you catch something. It's a perfect day. I could easily see myself in a cottage in the middle of Lappish nature, with my drill and rod, ice fishing every day. Being one with nature is truly fantastic.
Snowshoe walks
A popular and very classic Lapland activity is snowshoe walking. It lets you experience Finnish nature differently. Where you can often sink half a meter deep into the snow with just regular shoes, you can walk much further and better through the deep snow with snowshoes. Many hotels and resorts offer snowshoes; you can also rent them from all tour operators in Finland. If you have never done it before, it is definitely a recommended and super fun activity to do. You can wander through the forest and trek through deep snow—it's wonderful!
Viewing the Northern Lights
The most wanted and popular activity in Lapland is seeing the Northern Lights. It is magical and indescribable what seeing the Northern Lights does to you. It's no wonder it's on so many people's bucket lists. We are lucky enough to have seen the Northern Lights a few times now, and it’s an exceptional experience every time. Sometimes, we were on a tour, but more often, we were just on our own. Numerous tour operators offer Northern Lights tours, but if you ask us, it is much more fun and rewarding to go out alone.
Find a dark location away from lights and light pollution. Download apps that provide Northern Lights alerts. Keep an eye on the weather—it must be cloudless. It also helps to keep an eye on solar activity to see if there is a chance of Northern Lights at all. If everything comes together, you will have an amazing, unforgettable show and night.
All of the above activities are special and spectacular. I will always recommend them without a doubt when people travel to Lapland. But, the most fun activities are when you go out into nature, walking or cycling. In Lapland, nature is never far away, so go out and enjoy it. If you ask us, this approach will allow you to experience Lapland like the locals do. Plus, you can choose your destinations and decide how long you want to stay out.
You can also combine several of the above activities. For example, you can go on a husky northern lights tour. We combined a snowmobile tour with a few hours of ice fishing, which was really cool!
Places to stay in Rovaniemi
There are endless accommodations in Rovaniemi where you can stay, each more beautiful and unique than the last. Although a central location in the city may sound ideal, we believe a more remote setting is the best way to experience Lapland and Rovaniemi. Here are our favorites:
Apukka Resort
Apukka Resort is located away from the city of Rovaniemi and is a 15-minute drive away. Once you arrive at the resort, you feel like you have entered a different world. They offer various types of igloo accommodation. These accommodations are becoming increasingly common in Lapland and are ideal for seeing the Northern Lights. Apukka Resort is located on a lake and offers many activities. Almost all the above activities can be done at Apukka—the ideal base for an outdoor adventure in Rovaniemi.
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
This Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is world-famous and praised. If you search for Rovaniemi on Google, you will find it ranked high in the results. Dreamy treehouse accommodations in the middle of the forest—what more could you want? The resort is situated against a hill and offers many outdoor possibilities. From the resort, there are endless hiking trails that you can use to dive into nature.
Aito Resort
Aito Resort is brand new and has only recently opened its doors. It is located further from the city, about a 30-minute drive, so you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. It is beautifully situated on a lake and is known for the unique and special Aurora Treehouses. What makes Aito Resort special is that it offers a complete spa and wellness experience. After a day outside in nature, this is the best place to relax.
Lapland, and Rovaniemi in particular, are truly magical in winter. Being the official hometown of Santa Claus makes Rovaniemi a one-of-a-kind destination in Lapland. Have we sparked your excitement for Rovaniemi with this winter guide? If you're a true outdoor enthusiast, consider visiting Rovaniemi in the summer as well. Nature is at its peak, and you can enjoy 24 hours of daylight during the midnight sun season, making outdoor activities even more enjoyable.
